Year in Review: 2021 Symposium

Let’s face it…2020 was a long year, separated from so many of our friends and colleagues. As things began to open in 2021, we were thrilled to welcome another sold out crowd to Stevenson Ridge for our Seventh Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium. The weekend included lectures, battlefield tours, and fellowship unrivaled in the Civil War history field.

Things kicked off with a Friday morning tour of the Payne’s Farm battlefield with historians Theodore P. Savas and Chris Mackowski. Having not previously offered a Friday morning event, we had anticipated perhaps 30 people attending the tour. Everyone was gracious as we worked to quickly navigate parking for more than 80 attendees. Friday evening, we welcomed Gordon Rhea, who delivered an outstanding keynote address on J.E.B. Stuart’s mortal wounding at Yellow Tavern.

The weekend included a robust slate of nine presentations from ECW historians and friends, including Tom McMillan and perennial crowd favorite Matt Atkinson, and evening drinks at Strangeways. We were also thrilled to present Civil War historian Gary Gallagher with the Emerging Civil War Award for Service in the Field of Civil War Public History. The weekend was capped with an outstanding Wilderness battlefield tour with Greg Mertz.

Plans are well underway for our Eighth Annual Symposium, scheduled for August 5 – 7, 2022 at Stevenson Ridge. Armchair generals will love our “What If…” theme, exploring selections from some of the most tantalizing suppositions and theories of the Civil War. We will welcome Garry Adelman for his trademark high energy keynote, seven presenters, and two speaker panels. On Sunday, Kris White and Chris Mackowski will offer a tour of the expansive Slaughter Pen Battlefield.

Time is running out to secure your Early Bird ticket rate, with the discounted rate set expire after December 31. Tickets and more information are available here.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year for another great weekend of history and camaraderie!